• 15Dec 09

  Favorite Video Games of the Decade: Part 3

  Part 1 and Part 2 in case you missed them.

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  4. Mass Effect

  

  Bioware knows how to tell a damn good story, and Mass Effect is no exception. It's not the most original game out there but the time and effort put into creating the sci-fi world in Mass Effect is really something. Being able to create your own Commander Shepard, choose your backstory, and make key decisions in the story really puts you in control of the game and I absolutely love that. Gameplay-wise pulling off biotic powers is fun and the gunplay is solid. There are some shortcomings here and there like some of the side-quests being tedious and handling the Mako (which sucks). But this is one of those games where I can overlook the flaws because of the experience that it provides.

  3. Uncharted 2

  

  Yes, I know this game came out only a couple of months ago, but I had no hesitations putting it so high on my list. When the first Uncharted came out it was an instant favorite of mine. Nathan Drake was a charismatic new character that you couldn't help but love and the story had that modern day Raiders of the Lost Ark feel to it (which is one of my favorite movies btw). I enjoyed the gunplay quite a bit and the platforming was great minus the occasional elusive edge here and there. Uncharted 2 takes that game, makes some minor improvements to the gameplay, and includes huge set pieces. This is the equivalent of a great summer action movie, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I won't spoil anything, but the train level in particular is probably the coolest I've ever played in a video game. And whereas Uncharted was a very short game that didn't add much replay value, Uncharted 2 includes some very fun multiplayer that is sure to keep me coming back every now and then. It really is the complete package.

  2. Chrono Cross

  

  I know some people that didn't like this game just because it wasn't a proper Chrono Trigger sequel. For the record I love Chrono Trigger, but it's pretty obvious that I didn't mind Chrono Chross not being a true sequel. The story of parallel dimensions and the Frozen Flame is one of the best ever told in an RPG; in fact, I'd put it behind only my #1 game on this list. The plot is extremely important to me when it comes to RPGs, but I also really enjoyed the battle system. It was different from your normal turn-based affair, and I loved the fact that you could even escape boss battles if you needed to get resituated. On top of that the game features an amazing musical score and the inclusion of many potential party members. Sometimes I prefer having a core cast of characters in your party but not in this case.

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  Well, there's only one game left. Can you guess what it is? I guarantee it will be a surprise...just kidding, it's kind of obvious.

  • Posted Dec 15, 2009 4:19 pm PT
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• 10Dec 09

  Favorite Video Games of the Decade: Part 2

  Here's Part 1 in case you missed it.
  
  Alright, here's the second part of my favorite games of the decade list.

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  7. Grand Theft Auto IV

  

  I've always been a big fan of the GTA series but the mindless fun and endless cheat codes were what appealed to me most. The writing in the series has always been top notch and often hilarious, but the plot itself never kept me completely interested. That all changed with GTAIV. There were still plenty of humorous moments in the game but it took a darker tone and actually focused on a coherent narrative, at least more so than previous entries in the series. By the end of it I was really invested in Niko as a character and wanted to know what would happen to him. Best of all the gunplay was immensely improved, thanks in part to a solid cover system, and the mission variety was better than it had been in years past. Those two things significantly decreased the frustration factor that often pops up in GTA games. Plus, the inclusion of online multiplayer didn't hurt.

  6. Valkyria Chronicles

  

  I have to thank those at the RPG Temple for this one. Leading up to this game's release I didn't know much of it and didn't care either. Final Fantasy Tactics would be the only strategy RPG in my heart. But the positive feedback from some people at the Temple convinced me to get the game, and boy am I happy I did that. Valkyria Chronicles is a strategy RPG, but it ignores many conventions that follow that genre. The ability to actually control your individual troops really changes things, and eventually I got hooked. I'd find myself repeating previous battles over and over again not only to level up troops but also because it was a lot of fun. On top of that the game looks amazing with its watercolor painting-esque visuals and the audio is fantastic as well. Although the story isn't groundbreaking I find myself ranking it right up there as one of my favorites. It hits all the right spots, tackling tough issues, presenting a compelling cast of characters, and delivering a perfect ending. This is easily the biggest and most pleasant surprise of the decade for me.

  5. God of War II

  

  The God of War games deliver bloody, straightforward action at its finest. The controls are extremely fluid, the boss battles are epic, and the over-the-top violence fits the games perfectly. I went with God of War II specifically because it took the framework from the first game and just made everything bigger and better. It really pushed the PS2 to its limits and showed what the system could do; now that's what I call a perfect swan song. Oh, and Kratos is probably the most badass character in video game history. His quest for revenge on Greek Gods just reeks of awesomeness.

  • Posted Dec 10, 2009 7:22 pm PT
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• 5Dec 09

  Favorite Video Games of the Decade: Part 1

  With 2009 almost coming to a close I was going to do a top 10 of 2009 list (which I still might do). But the end of 2009 also means the end of the decade, so I thought to myself, "Anthony, go big or go home!" So instead I opted for a top 10 of the decade list. These are my favorite games of the decade, not necessarily the best. There are quite a few releases within a 10 year period, so I'll start out with a few games that just missed the cut but deserve a mention. Then comes the first few games on my list. Hope you enjoy it, and look out for the rest of the list over the next few days.

  Honorable Mentions: Final Fantasy X, BioShock, Braid, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Suikoden III

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  10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

  

  One thing I've come to realize over time is that I over-exaggerate my love for a game when it first comes out. When MGS4 was first released all I could think was "OMG MGS4 is teh awesome!!!" Okay, maybe those weren't my exact thoughts, but I liked it a lot more than I do now. Despite that overreaction, the game is still in my top 10 of the decade, so that's saying something. The stealth mechanics were still there but there was more freedom in whether you wanted to be stealthy or go in guns blazing. Presentation-wise the game is amazing, and although the story is convoluted and confusing at times (isn't every MGS game?), it is a solid conclusion to Snake's story and I have much respect for Hideo Kojima and his work on the series.

  9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

  

  No more World War II! Infinity Ward finally decided to go in another direction and boy did it pay off. They delivered another intense single-player campaign with a surprisingly strong story, but the multiplayer really stole the show. The perk system took the online world by storm and with Modern Warfare 2 it continues to be one of the most popular online multiplayer games out there (and my personal favorite). I could have picked MW2 for this spot, but unfortunately the single-player took a step back in my opinion because of the focus on multiplayer. And in the end it feels more like Modern Warfare 1.5 to me. But I shouldn't end on a sour note so…the original Modern Warfare was awesome.

  8. World of Goo

  

  This game was developed by 2D Boy which consists of just two people, two!! Despite that they managed to create one of the most innovative games I've ever played. The concept of connecting goo balls together to reach a pipe is simple, but the formula soon ramps up in difficulty. Instead of being frustrating though, the game provides a sense of accomplishment for each level completed. Oh, and it helps that the game features possibly my favorite (original) video game soundtrack (which is available as a free download on their website I believe).

  • Posted Dec 5, 2009 10:14 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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